The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-01
By II. RIDER HAGGARD.
CHAPTER XII.
DEEPER VET

burst.
To listen to the talk Of these two, they
might have met for the first time yesterday.
1t was chiefly about the weather.
Presently, in the course of their wander
lngs they came to little sailing boat drawn
up upon the beach--not far up, however,
just out of the reach of the waves. BY this
boat, in an attitude of intense contemplation,
there stood an ancient mariner. His hands
were in his pockets, his pipe was in his
mouth, his eyes were fixed upon the deep
he did not notice their approach
till they were within two yards Of him.
Then he turned, "dashed" himself and asked
the lady, with pull of his grizzled forelock,
if she would not take a sail.
Ernest looked surprised.
"Hows the windi' he asked.
"Straight off shore, sir; will turn with the
turn of the tide, sir, and bring you back
"Will you come for bit Of a sail, Eval"
"Oh, no, thank you. l must be getting
home; it is o'clock"
"There's no hurry for you to get home.
Your aunt and Florence have gone to tea
with the Smythes."
"Indeed, cannot come; I could not think
of such thing"
Her words were unequivocal but the
ancient mariner put a strange Interpretation
upon them. First, he hauled up the little
sail, and then, placing his brown hands
against the stern of the boat, he rested his
weight upon them, and caused her to travel
far enough into the waves to float her bow"
"Now, miss"
~ am not coming, indeed"
"Now, miss"
81 will not come, Ernest"
"Cone," said Ernest, quietly holding out
his hand to help her in.
She took it and got in. Ernest and the
mariner gave strong shove, and as the light
boat took the water the former leaped in,
and at the same second puff of wind caught
the sail and took them ten yards out or more.
4Why, the sailor is left behindp said Eve,
Ernest gave twist to the tiller to get the
boats head straight Off shore, and then
leisurcly looked round. The mariner was
standing as they had found him, his hands in
his pockets, his pipe IN his mouth, his eyes
fixed upon the deep
"He doesn't seem to mind It," he said,
medtatively.
"Yes, but l do; you must go back and
fetch him."
Thus appealed to, Ernest went through
some violent maneuvers with the tiller, with
out producing any marked effect on the
course of the boat which by this time had
got out of the shelter Of the cliff and was
bowling along merrily.
"Wait till we get clear from the draught OF
the cliff, and will bring her round"
But when at last they were clear from the
draught of the cliff, and he slowly got her
head round, 10 and behold, the mariner had
vanshed
"How unfortunatel" said Ernest, getting
her head toward the open sea again; she has
probably gone to his tea"
Eva tried hard to get angry, but somehow
she could not she only succeeded in laughing.
"If thought that you had done this on
purpose, would never come out with you
again"
Ernest looked Mortified. "On purpose" he
said, and the subject dropped.
They were sitting side by side in the stern
sheets of the boat, and the sun was just dip
ping, all red hot, into the ocean. Under the
lee of the cliff there were cool shadows, be-
fore them was path of glory that led to
golden gate. The air was very sweet, and for
those two all the world was lovely; there was
no sorrow on the earth, there were no storms
upon the sea.
Eva took off her hat and let the sweet
breeze play upon her brow. Then she leaned
over the side, and dipping her hand into the
cool water watched the little track it made
"Eva.n
"Yes Ernest"
"Do you know am going awayf
The hand was withdrawn with start.
"Going away whenH
aThe day after tomorrow, to France"
"And when are you coming back againP
II think that depends on you, Eva"
The hand went back into the water. They
were a mile or more from the shore now.
Ernest manipulated the sail and tiller so as
to sail slowly parallel with the coast line.
Then he spoke again.
eva"
No answer.
"Eva for Gods sake, look at mel"
There was something in his voice that
forced her to obey. She took her hand out
of the water and turned her eyes on his face
It was pale, and the lips were quivering
81 love YOU" he said, in low, choked
voice.
She grew angry. "Why did you bring me
berel | will go home. This is nonsense; you
are nothing but boy"
There are moments in life when the human
face is capable of conveying more intense
and vivid impression than any words, wher
II seems to speak TO the very soul in Ian
puare of its own. And so it was with Ernes
now: he made no answer to her reproaches
hut if that were possible, his features grew
noler vet, and his eyes, shining like stars
tixed themselves upon her and drew her Il
him And what they said she and he knew
alone, nor could any words convey 1t, for tn
A. ;,l, fal is snOken
this world.
A moment still she wavered, fighting
AGAINST the sweet mastery of his will with al
her woman's strength, and then-O heaven
n was done, and his arms were round abou
her her head upon his breast, and her voic
was lost in sobs and broken words of love.
Oh radiant winged hour of more thai
| mortal ioy, the hearts where thou hast lit WI
know when their time comes that they nav
not beat quite in vain!
And so they sat, those two, quite silent TO
there seemed to be no need for speech; word
could not convey half they had to say, and
indeed. to tell the honest truth, their lips wer
for the most part otherwise employed.
Meanwhile the sun went down, and th
| golden moon arose over the quiet sea an
| turned their little ship to silver Eva gentl
| disenpared herself from his arms and ha
rose 10 look at it; she had never thought
half SO beautiful before, Ernest looked at 4
| too. 1t is way that lovers have
aDo YOU know the linesp he said; II thin
can say them;
with swifter motion,
out upon the ocean,
| Heaven above and round US, and you alone VII
| Heaven around aud DER us,
The Infinite before us,
| Floating on forever, upon the flowing sea-"
"Go on" she said, softly
| 'what time is it, dear nowi
We are in the year now
| OF the new creation, one million, two or three'
| But where are we now, loyei
We are, as | trow, love,
| Tn the heaven OF heavens, upon the crystal sea
"That is how hope 1t may be with u
dear.p she said, taking his hand as the la
words passed his lips.
sAre you happy nowF he asked her.
sYes, Ernest, am happy indeed ido N
think that | shall ever be so happy agaii
certainly never was SO happy before. |
YOU know, dear, wish to tell you so, th'
YOU may see how mean have beeni hay
fought SO hard against my love for you"
| He looked pained "WhyP he asked,
IL will tell you quite truly, Ernest-b
cause you are 50 young was ashamed
fall in love with boy, and yet, You see, dea
YOU have been too strong Tor me"